Playable Minds [On Hold]

Chapter 2: A Distant Cry

I can smell smoke. My heart races every time I'm here, the smell of smoke was so thick that it made my head go dizzy. The scene was replayed so many times in my head that I remember everything, the smell of burning grass, the smell of fire, and the sight of my house, slowly consumed by the fire.

"No.." I whisper to myself as I always did, I turn my head and look at the streets. My mom was crouching on the side of the streets, tears falling from her eyes, and I can't help but cry as well.

" Sherry.." It's as if my mind was playing with me, I can hear my father's voice, it was soft, and weak, enough to get my full attention.

" Sister.." It was like a distant cry, one that I must answer. That moment I realize, I don't care about anything anymore, even if I die, I have to save them. I run towards my house, where the front door was half closed and burst inside, I tried to dodge as the ceilings began to fall bit by bit. I may have scraped my arm, and though the pain was too much for a girl like me, I tried to endure. I race towards the stairs, but it was halfway destroyed, there's no way I can reach the top floor, it was useless. I screamed in agony, I cried as hard as I could, hoping that my father would hear and regain his strength, just so he could save his daughter.

" Val!" I screamed as I drop to the floor, the fire begin to surround me.

"Sis.." I jerked my head upwards, and caught a glimpse of my sister, Valent was standing on top of the stairs, her cheeks bruised, probably burnt marks.

" Are you okay?" I asked as I climb the remaining stairs, it was only halfway up but I climbed anyway.

" Dad is.." She burst into tears as I reached the last stair, I can't reach her.

" Ssh.., it'd be alright, now when I tell you to jump, you jump okay? I'll catch you"

"Okay.." I scan my surroundings one more time, there's no way out, the front door was surrounded by fire, but I'll figure out something somehow.

" Okay, Jump!" Valent Jumped, I knew that was as far as she could go, but she won't reach. I jumped forward and grabbed her, pulling her into my arms before we crashed downwards between the stairs. My head hurts, and my chest felt tight, this time it feels like I want to close my eyes and just sleep.

" Sis..,I'm scared.." Valent whimpered in my arms, I touched her hair, pulling her even closer. I tried to stand, but it feels impossible, my legs felt numb, and I'm out of breath. So instead I pulled her closer and whispered.

" Everything's gonna be okay.." I'm such a liar, at this rate, even a little kid would know that we might die. I pulled us a little bit apart to see my sister's face, her eyes was closed, she must have ran out of breath as well. The sight was unbearable, but at least this way I know I’m not alone. I kissed her forehead one last time before pulling her closer once again. This time I have no intention of letting go, so I close my eyes and held her tight, my body felt weak, not possible for me to move. I cried, I was afraid, of what might happen to me, and my sister, I was afraid of how my mother would live her life, I'm such a terrible daughter.

" Are you okay?.." I opened my eyes to see, but tears were blocking my view and all I can see is a figure, kneeling in front of me.

"I'm scared.." I said, never once did I hear myself so desperate, it was embarrassing. For a moment the figure didn't move, and he didn't say anything, I cried even more, I wanted to sleep, my eyes felt undeniably heavy. He patted my head and moved a few inches closer.

"It's okay, I'll protect you." He whispered, it was soothing, and a part of myself seems to trust his words completely. Unable to fight the urge any longer, I closed my eyes, and let myself sleep, holding my sister tight the whole time.

-00-

I woke up to the smell of band aids and rubber, and a hint of mint though I'm not sure. I touched my fore head which is covered in sweat, it felt warm. I blink twice, trying to adjust my eyes to the light.

"Seems like you had a bad dream" The muscles in my neck were stiff and sore as I turn my head to where the voice came from, Matthew was standing near a desk.

"How long?" The dream I had seemed long enough, but then again, it was still a dream.

"Well let's see, it's been an hour since school was over, so around, 8 hours" I pull myself into a sitting position, my back still ache, probably from what happened earlier.

"You waited?" There's no nurse around, she might have gone home, but the fact that she left an unconscious girl with a boy still bothers me.

"No, I left for homeroom, and lunch, just came by to check on you, just in case." He walks closer holding a towel in hand, I grab it as he passed it to me and begin to wipe my own forehead. He took a chair and sit next to my bed, his brown eyes filled with curiosity.

"What?" I placed the towel on my lap and looked at him.

"Care to explain? It's my first day and I have to save a rude girl from being killed by someone. And no one seems to remember a thing"

I sigh and look away, I hate questions, and I don't feel like I need to tell him.

"You don't need to know"

"Yes I do"

"Why?" It's true that he might need to know what's going on, I've dragged him into a troublesome mess somehow, but there are questions I can't answer myself.

"Ever heard of curiosity?" He raised his eyebrow, and I can't help but laugh.

"Ever heard of curiosity kills the cat?" I raised my eyebrow the same way he did just to mock him. Now it's his turn to laugh, he moved closer, putting both of his hands on the edge of the bed, practically intruding my personal space.

"This cat might be tougher than you think" He leaned back towards his chair, leaving me speechless, there are tons of come-backs in my mind, but none of them find its way through my mouth.

For a few moment we just sit there in silence, I can feel the urge to tell him about everything, but he's a total stranger, how can I trust him? I looked at him once again, my judgment seems clouded around him, but his eyes reflected something I couldn't quite explain, the moment our eyes met, I can't help but feel like I trust him, without a single doubt.

" I stole something" He deserves some explanation, at least about what happened today. He nodded.

" Why did you do it?"

" To fix something."

" What did you steal exactly?" I hesitated a moment before I continue.

" A disc, containing information, and a programme." He didn't look confused, not one bit, it's like he's listening to me while reading my mind at the same time.

" Wh-" My phone ringed before he can finish his next question, I took my phone from my pocket and examine the home screen. 3 missed calls and 1 text, my heart dropped, I open the text knowing what it would say.

" I have to go.." Once again it seems as though he knows what I was going to say, he smiled and nod, so I grab my bag and walk towards the door. I looked back one last time, and see him still sitting there, not moving.

"Thank you" I whispered, not loud enough for him to hear, but enough for me to open the door and leave.